Dark circles under the eyes are a common concern affecting both men and women. They can make you appear tired, stressed, or older than you feel. The under-eye area (periorbital skin) is delicate and thin, making it especially vulnerable to changes in skin quality, volume loss, and lifestyle factors. Understanding the cause is essential to choosing the most effective treatment.
Under-eye circles are often multifactorial.
The skin under the eyes is naturally thinner than other areas of the face. As collagen decreases:
When vascular structures show through thin skin, they can create a blue, purple, or dark hue.
Loss of volume in the periorbital area — particularly the Sub-Orbicularis Oculi Fat (SOOF) — can lead to:
Volume loss is a common age-related change but may also occur earlier due to genetics.
Loss of collagen and elastin causes:
Sagging skin can make Under-eye circles appear more pronounced.
These factors can worsen puffiness, vascular congestion, and discoloration.
Some individuals are genetically predisposed to:
Dark circles under the eyes are a common concern affecting both men and women. They can make you appear tired, stressed, or older than you feel. The under-eye area (periorbital skin) is delicate and thin, making it especially vulnerable to changes in skin quality, volume loss, pigmentation, and lifestyle factors.
At Aesthetic Beauty by Serena, PA-C in Royal Oak, Michigan, we understand that dark circles are not caused by one single issue. Effective treatment begins with identifying the underlying cause of your concern.
Our personalized under-eye rejuvenation approach focuses on evaluating factors such as:
Based on your evaluation, we create a customized treatment plan designed to restore a brighter, refreshed, and natural-looking appearance.
Because Under-eye circles have different causes, proper evaluation is important to determine the right treatment approach.
Improving daily habits can significantly enhance under-eye appearance.
Recommended Lifestyle Changes:
Nutritional Support:
Consult with a healthcare provider before starting new supplements.
Hyaluronic acid fillers and/or Smooth PDO threads can:
-Restore tear trough volume
-Reduce shadowing
-Improve under-eye hollowness
-Create a smoother transition between lower eyelid and cheek
-Proper technique and provider expertise are critical in this delicate area
Microneedling stimulates Collagen stimulation and can:
-Improve thin skin
-Reduce fine lines
-Improve texture
-Reduce mild pigmentation
PRP uses your body’s own growth factors to:
-Improve skin thickness
-Enhance collagen production
-Improve texture and Hyperpigmentation
-Brighten under-eye skin over time
-Regular PRP treatments may provide cumulative improvement.
CO2 Laser treatments can:
-Thicken and tighten skin
-Improve Hyperpigmentation
-Smooth fine lines
-Enhance overall skin quality
-These treatments must be performed carefully in the periorbital area.
For significant Sagging skin or excess lower eyelid skin, surgical intervention may be recommended.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty can:
In some cases, fat grafting may be performed to restore lost volume. This procedure should be performed by a surgeon who specializes in blepharoplasty and periorbital surgery.
After cosmetic or medical treatments:
Skincare Support
Products rich in:
Regular PRP maintenance sessions may help sustain improvements.
Under-eye circles are not one-size-fits-all. The most effective treatment depends on whether the primary cause is:
At Aesthetic Beauty by Serena, we provide personalized consultations to determine the root cause of your under-eye concerns. Our approach combines advanced non-surgical treatments, medical-grade skincare, and long-term maintenance strategies to restore a brighter, refreshed appearance.
If you’re ready to rejuvenate your under-eye area and regain a well-rested look, schedule your consultation today.